Why Hairworms Don’t Have Hair

Hair worms are unique parasites missing a significant portion of genes, including those for cilia, which are crucial for sensory and locomotion functions in most animals. Despite this, they thrive in both freshwater and marine environments, suggesting a long evolutionary history without these genes. Researchers have sequenced their genomes, revealing sparse genetic material and unique genes whose functions are yet to be understood. This discovery challenges our understanding of essential genetic components for survival and opens new avenues for research into how organisms adapt to extreme genetic reductions.

What makes hair worms' genetic makeup particularly unique compared to other animals?

• They have the ability to photosynthesize.

• They possess genes from multiple species.

• They have an extra set of chromosomes.

• They lack a significant portion of genes found in other animals.

What crucial cellular structure are hair worms unable to produce?

• Cilia

• Nucleus

• Mitochondria

• Ribosomes

How do cilia function in single-celled organisms?

• They produce energy.

• They store genetic information.

• They help with locomotion and feeding.

• They aid in photosynthesis.

Despite lacking cilia, how do hair worms manage to find mates and reproduce?

• They have a symbiotic relationship with other organisms.

• They do not reproduce at all.

• They use advanced sensory organs.

• They rely on unique genes whose functions are not yet understood.

What does the study of hair worms challenge about our understanding of genetic necessities?

• The requirement of cilia for survival.

• The need for a complex nervous system.

• The necessity of photosynthesis genes.

• The importance of a large genome.